Welcome

After nearly 44 years, the Tory dynasty has fallen. In Alberta, we have a new majority government under Premier-elect Rachel Notley, third generation Albertan. The NDP win, although predicted by pollsters, still

caught us all off guard. Perhaps we were just too familiar with past elections. The PCs always emerged winners. But this time, it was different.Much has been made since the NDP win, of the inexperience and youth of some candidates. The average age of the new MLAs is 43 and the youngest is 20 years old. However, Albertans did vote for change and there can be no change if the government is dominated by privileged, white men, many who were lawyers. Youth brings enthusiasm and new perspective. The young MLAs are very accomplished in various fields and although the learning curve will be high, they are not afraid to work. The new government has more women representation than ever before. Women are half of the populatioin Rachel Notley was in the election to become premier and now that she has, I think she will find among her 53 MLAs plenty of competent people to appoint to her cabinet. She is not closing doors to the oil or business communities, rather she is opening seats for other sectors around the government table.Judgement even before she has a chance to govern is detrimental to us all. The Tories did have 44 years. Surely we can give the NDP four. There will be bumps along the way, change is never smooth but it is what we voted for.